Reactive and self-regulatory temperament dimensions in relation to alcohol use in adolescence

The present study investigated the cross-sectional relations of reactive [Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS)] and self-regulatory [effortful control (EC)] temperament dimensions with alcohol use in a community sample of adolescents aged 14 to 20 years. Participants completed the BIS/BAS Scales (Carver & White, 1994), the Effortful Control Scale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire Revised (EATQ-R; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) and a subset of questions based on from the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI; Kaminer, Bukstein, & Tarter, 1991). Age of first use and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the unique effect of BAS Fun Seeking. Frequency and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the BAS Fun Seeking × EC interaction: High BAS Fun Seeking was related to frequency and quantity of alcohol use only if EC was low. Frequency of alcohol use was also predicted by the BAS Drive × EC interaction, but simple slope analysis revealed that the slopes were not significant, both at low EC and at high EC. The findings of the present study confirm and extend previous research and add to the growing literature of temperamental vulnerability to alcohol use in young populations.

Research Highlights
► BAS FS predicts age of first use and quantity of alcohol use.
► BAS FS x EC predicts frequency and quantity of alcohol use.
► BAS D x EC predicts frequency of alcohol use, but slopes are not significant.